Layers of the Geosphere

• Crust: The outermost layer of the geosphere, composed of solid rock. It is divided into continental crust (which forms the continents) and oceanic crust (which forms the ocean floors).
• Mantle: The layer beneath the crust, made up of hot, semi-solid rock. It is the thickest layer of the geosphere and is divided into the upper mantle and the lower mantle.
• Core: The innermost layer of the geosphere, consisting of a solid inner core and a liquid outer core. The core is primarily made up of iron and nickel.

Processes and Features

• Plate Tectonics: The movement of the Earth's lithosphere (the crust and upper mantle) in tectonic plates. This movement can cause earthquakes, volcanic activity, and the formation of mountains.
• Rock Cycle: The continuous process by which rocks are formed, broken down, and reformed through processes such as erosion, weathering, and the movement of tectonic plates.
• Landforms: The various physical features of the Earth's surface, including mountains, valleys, plains, and plateaus, which are shaped by geological processes over time.

Importance of the Geosphere

The geosphere plays a crucial role in supporting life on Earth. It provides the foundation for ecosystems, the resources for human activities, and the basis for understanding Earth's history and future changes.